Re: [A/S] Tow Vehicles

["vrmanac" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jim

I will through in a different track for you to consider here.  We 
often ride in the trailer over a test route we have to see how the 
trailer reacts to different tires towvehicles hitches etc.  It is 
really quite amazing the difference on some combinations it is almost 
eire in the trailer there is no engine or other noise and the unit 
just floats along,with others it will be so jarring you have to hang 
on to something and everything in there is rattling and moving.

Any of the diesel trucks you will purchase are heavy duty 3/4 tons 
with 6000 pound rear axle capacities.  Unless you carry something 
very heavy in the box you will only have about 4000 pounds on that 
6000 pound rear axle.  What this means is that the back of the truck 
will ride quite hard. Because of the long wheelbase and the flex in 
the truck frame you really don't perceive it much in the cab but the 
trailer sure takes a pounding.   

In 1969 most Airstreams were pulled by very soft riding sedans and 
the few that used trucks tended to use 1/2 tons so the trailer was 
not designed to take the stresses imposed by a stiffly sprung tow 
vehicle.  In 1982 the chassis were stiffened considerably.  Your 69 
will last much longer if you tow it with a more forgiving tow 
vehicle.  It only weighs 5000 pounds and is very aerodynamic so there 
is a wide range of vehicles that will tow it very nicely.  

One of the great things about owning an Airstream is that you can 
often tow it with a vehicle that suites your lifestyle when you are 
not towing.  

What do you drive now?  

Andy